Chef's E39 530d

[Nikhil]

10 to 12 hours:nonono::nonono: go find a scrapyard bro:thumbs:

 

[ChefDJ]

A bump for recent questions relating to swirl flaps :thumbs:

 

[323i e46]

:thumbs: some major works there.

Good work.

 

[Rudi]

Have you been able to fix the headlights?

Rudi

 

[ChefDJ]

Nope, sorry bud.

My headlights are post July 2002 production date, and so the headlight will melt before the epoxy that holds the lens onto it does. The only way for me to fix mine is to cut a hole in it somewhere, which I am contemplating...

:dunno:

 

[ChefDJ]

Small update.

I ripped out the HID kit and fitted Phillips X-treme Vision bulbs. The lighting seems to be better, but still not far enough for comfort. I'm gonna have to make a plan soon.

Perhaps cut a hole in the bottom of the headlight housing in order to access the adjusters and replace them?

Thoughts?

 

[osiris]

you replaced a xenon with a halogen and the lighting is better? sounds like your using a halogen projector with a xenon ballast which will give bad results, you need to rip out those projectors and fit proper xenon projectors.

My 5 series had projectors but they were built for halogen bulbs, when I fitted a xenon kit into that it looked nicer but the light output was only marginally better but it probably wasn't when I got my 330d and I fitted proper xenon projectors with the same xenon kit the light output was insane in comparison.

 

[ChefDJ]

My headlights are stock standard with projectors, which came with H7's :thumbs:

The HID kit was fitted with a ballast and the lighting was not up to scratch. It seemed to fade with time. So I removed the HID's and put H7's back in.

:dunno:

 

[anton-sa]

yeah im on my 2nd e39. first one being a 2001 e39 525i which i had for 4.5yrs.

im now onto a 2001 530d.

anyhow,their headlights arent brilliant.

@chef- lets find some original hella stuff hid xenon stuff.
shit last year there was a guy selling off geniune hella m5 ballasts and fittings for e39... i missed out!!

 

[ChefDJ]

I do not want those external ballasts on my car anymore :sorry:


I don't like the setup, all the loose wiring, and the damn bulbs that keep falling out. I'm okay with my new Phillips bulbs. It's not a white light, but it's fine.

I have made a plan to lend a dremel tool from a friend, and will be cutting out a hole in the bottom of my headlight housing units in order to get to the adjusters where I can replace them, as I already have the adjusters.

The reason for me cutting a hole in the bottom and not the top is to eliminate the possibility of water getting in and being trapped inside. The bottom hole will still be sealed with epoxy once the job is finished.

This is the last resort for me, and I hope it will work. At least then all adjusters will be working and if my bulbs are not good enough, I'll look into other OEM options.

Just FYI... SP33DYV bought himself an M5 E39. We were talking about our lights the other day. The ones from the M5 are completely different from any other E39 as it comes standard with xenons. The back of the headlight is a completely different setup with ballast and all.

Price of my standard angel-eye headlight from the dealers = 12 grand a set.

Price of the M5 xenon non-angel-eye headlight from the dealers = 17 grand A PIECE!!!

 

[ChefDJ]

I should have bought aluminium adjusters for this :roflol:

 

[Gbmw]

Saw ya ride 1st time yesterday, :thumbs: Nicely kept bra.

 

[ChefDJ]

Thanks a lot :rollsmile::thumbs:

 

[RAArmstrong]

Daaltjie... Why are certain pics not being posted here? :fencelook:

 

[ChefDJ]

:fencelook:

 

[RAArmstrong]

:bat:

 

[Wes]

Im almost sure I saw the chef driving towards the N1 onramp on the westrand yesterday afternoon.

Or you have a twin..

 

[ChefDJ]

Im almost sure I saw the chef driving towards the N1 onramp on the westrand yesterday afternoon.

Or you have a twin..

Hmmm what time and whereabouts?

I have an identical twin in my street :rollsmile:

 

[Wes]

Around 6pm. Gordon Rd onramp

 

[ChefDJ]

Not me :=):